Chapter 6

The ground was hard, the blanket was itchy, and Lily's feet were cold, despite the fire that burned in the ring of stones not three paces away. There was no way she would get any sleep tonight. There was far too much to think about, far too much to process.

It was late, perhaps past midnight, although it was too dark to see her watch. The only light came from the campfire, casting eerie shadows on the walls that snaked and danced like living things. From nearby came the soft breathing of the men.

Dear God, she was alone with three strange men—four if you counted Alfred Brewer—and totally at their mercy. It was a terrifying thought. And yet, she was not afraid of them. The situation itself might terrify her, but her companions did not. She couldn't quite put a finger on why that was. Perhaps it was Oskar's promise that they would ensure her safety, but whatever it was, she knew— somehow— that she could trust them.

Which was ridiculous, of course. They could all be serial killers for all she knew. But it was either trust these men or head off on her own into god-knows-what. She wasn't so naive that she didn't realize how that would turn out.

Oskar had hung a blanket across the corner of the room, giving her some privacy, and it made a secluded little alcove for her in which she lay wide awake and staring at the ceiling. Dusty rafters arched above, painted with firelight, and beyond them she could see all the way up to the roof. There were gaps between some of the roof tiles and through those gaps she could see the night sky and a few bright stars.

The same stars that shine over my house, she thought. And yet so far removed that I might as well be on another planet.

Homesickness washed through her so strongly that she felt tears gathering in her eyes again and she dashed them away irritably. She couldn't afford to indulge in self-pity. She had to keep moving, keep putting one foot in front of the other until she found a way out of this nightmare.

She closed her eyes. There was no way she would get any sleep tonight. No way at all.

She awoke to bright morning sunlight pouring into the barn. She blinked her eyes open groggily and stared up at the rafters for a moment, waiting for her brain to clear the fog. At the sight of the warped wood and badly-fitting tiles, her stomach sank.

Oh. So it hadn't all been a bad dream then.

Beyond the hanging blanket, she heard the men moving around and talking in low voices, as if they didn't want to wake her. She heard the crackle of the fire and then a sizzle as something was thrown into a pan. A moment later, the delicious smell of frying bacon reached her nostrils.

Throwing back her blankets, she sat up and yawned. Her eyes felt grainy and a dull ache throbbed in her back, but it was nothing she wasn't used to. Taking deep breaths, she began her morning ritual, running through the exercises and stretches that her physio had insisted she do each day. The familiar, repetitive task calmed her a little, helped her ground herself. She might be hundreds of years from home, but some things were the same.

When she was ready, she pulled back the blanket and stepped out into the room. Emeric was sitting by the fire, frying the bacon, and Magnus was rolling up their bedding. There was no sign of Oskar.

"Ah! Morning, lass!" Magnus rumbled. "I'd ask if ye slept well, but I think that might be a stupid question, eh?"

"Morning," she replied. "Actually, I think I did manage to snatch a few hours' sleep."

"Huh," Emeric grunted. "Then ye did better than me. It's difficult to sleep with Magnus snoring like a hog all night."

"I dinna snore!" Magnus said indignantly.

"Oh, ye do, my friend," Emeric replied. "Ye sound like someone sawing through a tree trunk."

Magnus glared at him but was prevented from answering by the door opening. Oskar came in, carrying a stack of firewood in his muscled arms. He'd obviously just washed—or it was raining outside—as his hair was plastered to the sides of his face and there were drops of water running down his neck. He started when he saw Lily and for some stupid reason she felt her pulse quicken as he looked at her. He tore his gaze away and dumped the firewood in the corner.

"About bloody time," he snapped. "I thought the three of ye were going to sleep all day. The sun has been up almost an hour."

"And good morning to ye too," Magnus said.

Oskar grunted and seated himself cross-legged by the fire. He hiked a thumb over his shoulder. "Anyone checked on him this morning?"

"Aye," Emeric responded. "And he's just as charming as always."

Oskar's eyes flicked to Lily and away again. He'd seated himself on the opposite side of the fire from her and Lily wondered if this was deliberate. It wasn't where he'd slept—he'd chosen a spot right outside her hanging blanket almost as though he was guarding her. She wondered if that had been deliberate too.

Emeric dished out the fried bacon and handed her a tin plate with some slices of bread and a small dollop of butter on it as well. She nodded her thanks and then proceeded to make herself a bacon sandwich. Magnus handed over a small pottery beaker and when she took a sip, she was surprised to find weak beer rather than water. Still, it didn't taste too bad and helped to wash down the coarse bread.

She was surprised at how famished she was and she finished the sandwich in just a few quick bites. The food made her feel infinitely better. So much better, in fact, that she thought she might actually be able to face the day.

Emeric nodded at a plate of bacon he'd set aside. "Anyone volunteering to take our guest his breakfast?"

"I'll do it," Lily said. "I need to change his dressing anyway."

She climbed creakily to her feet and winced as flashes of pain went down her back and legs. It was always the worst in the mornings. She saw Oskar's quick look of concern, but before he could ask any uncomfortable questions, she took the plate of bacon and carried it into the other room.

She found Alfred Brewer awake and scowling at her from where he was tied to the post.

"Good morning," she said brightly.

"Is it?" he snapped. "Canna say as it seems very good to me."

"Did you manage to get any sleep?" she asked, determined to keep the encounter pleasant, despite her patient's glower.

"What do ye think? Would ye get any sleep tied to this post?"

"Yeah. Sorry about that."

"Then why dinna ye untie me?"

This was the first time she'd spoken to Alfred since discovering that she'd traveled back in time. His predicament now made much more sense: why they'd needed a healer in order to move him, why they'd tied him up, why they were transporting him in a wagon. She didn't like it. But she understood it.

"I've brought you something to eat. You can have it just as soon as I've checked your injury and changed your dressing."

He didn't speak as she unwound the bandage and inspected the wound. Satisfied that it looked all right, she took a clean bandage from her bag and wound it tightly around his leg. Once done, she rocked back on her heels, thinking.

"You know, if we made you a pair of crutches there's no reason why you couldn't walk. You can't bear weight on that leg yet, but we need you walking around as much as possible to keep up your muscle tone in your back and your other leg."

He snorted. "I dinna think they're going to be letting me walk anywhere, do ye? I'm a condemned man, remember?"

"You're not condemned, you're going to trial. And whatever else you are, you're my patient and I'll do whatever is necessary to speed your healing. Now eat your breakfast."

She held out the plate, and Alfred was able to take the sandwich she'd made him in his bound hands and eat it. She climbed to her feet and walked to the door.

"Thank you," Alfred said from behind her. "For helping me, I mean."

She glanced over her shoulder and smiled at him. "You're welcome."

Back in the main room, the three men were busy packing up. The fire had been doused, the bedding had been rolled, and the cooking supplies washed and packed. Lily made her way outside. It was a cold, clear day, with a bright blue sky and sunlight bright enough to make her squint. A chill wind was blowing from the east, sending her hair swirling out behind her and goosebumps riding up her skin.

Emeric and Magnus were fixing the harness to the horses, and Oskar was lifting supplies into the back of the wagon. He came over to her.

"Ready?"

The early morning sunlight reflected off his damp hair, making it look like burnished copper as he placed his hands on his hips and looked down at her. His stubbly beard made a shadow across his chin and the way he stood pulled his linen shirt tight across his chest, revealing the ridges and dimples of the muscles underneath.

She nodded, ignoring the warm sensation that stole through her at his proximity. "Ready."

"And our guest?"

"He's good to go. But I'd like to try something."

"Oh?"

"I want him walking as much as possible. Would you be able to make him a pair of crutches? I'm sure you could cut a decent branch off that birch over there."

"Why bother? We'll just toss him in the back of the wagon like yesterday."

"The longer he's off his feet, the more trouble he's going to have getting about once his leg heals."

Oskar shrugged. "So?"

She pursed her lips. "Look, whatever you think of the man, he's still my patient. And as my patient, it's my duty to help him as much as I can. As his therapist, I want him using a crutch. Now, are you going to do as I ask or do I have to go ask the others?" She placed her hands on her hips, mirroring his stance, and glared up at him. She even went so far as to tap her foot impatiently.

"Fine!" Oskar said, throwing up his hands. "Although it's a bloody waste of time if you ask me!"

"I didn't ask you," Lily replied sweetly. "But thank you for your input."

Oskar stomped off to the small grove of birch trees that were growing a little further along the track. It didn't take long to fashion a pair of rudimentary crutches and the three men watched, bemused, as she instructed Alfred on how to use them. After helping him out of the barn, she had him make a few circuits of the area out front, watching critically as he hobbled along, quickly getting the hang of walking with his new crutches.

"That's good," she said, nodding in approval. "Each time we stop today, I want you to walk around on them. It will speed your healing."

"Aye. Ye have my thanks." He turned to the three men who were leaning on the cart, watching with skeptical expressions on their faces. "Well, shall we get on, then? Time and the headsman wait for no man."

"Couldnae have put it better myself," Oskar muttered.

Magnus and Emeric helped Alfred into the back of the cart and took their positions to either side, guarding him just as they'd done yesterday. Oskar climbed up onto the seat at the front and held out his hand to help Lily up. She took his hand and boosted herself up beside him. Pain shot through her hips and she stumbled, gripping Oskar's hand tightly to keep from falling. His other arm went around her waist, steadying her.

"Easy, lass," he said. "I know ye are eager to be off, but that's ridiculous."

Lily looked at him, surprised. Had he just made a joke?

"Sorry," she muttered. "Must have slipped."

She seated herself on the hard wooden seat beside him and took a deep, steadying breath. She was not looking forward to this journey. If yesterday was any indication, the ride was likely to be bumpy and uncomfortable, but if it took her a little closer to getting home, she could put up with it.

They set off into the cold winter morning, the cart creaking and rattling, the horses snorting great clouds of vapor into the frigid air.

"Here, lass," Oskar muttered, reaching behind and pulling a blanket out of the back of the cart. "Wrap this around yerself."

She took it gratefully and spread it across her shoulders. It helped a little, but the air was still so chilly that she could see her breath in front of her face.

"I can't believe it's winter," she muttered.

"What's that?" Oskar said, glancing at her.

"It was spring when I left. The daffodils were in bloom and the birds were nesting."

Oskar looked around at the frosty landscape. "I love winter mornings like this," he said in a low voice. "Everything so clean and crisp and still."

Lily had to admit that it was beautiful, with the wide blue sky and the curled bracken fronds that blanketed the road sparkling with frost. She just wished it wasn't so cold.

They traveled in silence, the three men alert and watchful, Alfred Brewer surly and withdrawn. Despite herself, Lily found herself starting to doze. She slumped against Oskar and jerked herself upright.

"Sorry," she mumbled.

He glanced at her but didn't reply. She tried to keep her eyes open, but the monotonous swaying motion of the cart soon lulled her again and she found herself drifting down into fitful sleep.

THE LASS HAD FALLENasleep. Her weight pressed against his side and her head rested on his shoulder, bobbing slightly with the movement of the wagon. Her weight felt oddly pleasant, and he could feel the warmth from her body seeping into him. He made no move to wake her. In fact, he carefully reached over with one hand and pulled the blanket tighter about her. He heard a soft snort of laughter behind him and turned to see Magnus grinning at him.

"What?" he demanded.

Magnus spread his hands. "Nothing, my friend, nothing. It's just I dinna think I've ever seen ye show such tenderness before. I like this new side of ye."

"Oh, shut it. I just dinna want the lass to catch cold, that's all. We dinna want any more delays."

"Whatever ye say, my friend. Whatever ye say."

Oskar turned back to face the front. The horses Lord Eberwyn had given them were possibly the slowest, laziest horses he'd ever encountered. Large and strong, with long manes and hairy feet, they were what could be called ‘sturdy' but quick they were not. They plodded along at little faster than walking pace, despite all Oskar's efforts to coax greater speed out of them.

God's teeth! They would be lucky to reach Edinburgh before the week was out at this rate! It would be quicker to walk with Alfred Brewer slung over his shoulder!

He realized he was grinding his teeth and forced himself to relax. There was nothing to be done about their pace, so he'd do better to stop griping about it. But it was hard. The need to complete his mission burned like a whip across his shoulders.

He knew that he had none of the easy-going charm of his commander, Kai Stewart, or the intelligence of his sword-brother Conall Sinclair. He had none of the warmth and openness of Magnus, nor the quick-witted resourcefulness of Emeric. No, he was surly, quick to anger, and his temper had almost brought them all to ruin on more than one occasion. He was the least of the five of them, the one most ill-suited to being a warrior of the Order and he was determined to prove that Laird Sutherland, the head of the Order, had been right to admit him into its exalted ranks.

For some reason, Laird Sutherland had seen something in him that he'd never seen in himself, and he would repay that faith by keeping his oath and completing his mission, whatever it took.

The day grew overcast as they traveled, and the wind dropped. Clouds rolled in from the south, threatening rain, although thankfully it held off. They saw not another living soul on the road, and that didn't surprise him. This upland route was seldom traveled, especially in winter, which is why they'd taken it.

They traveled all morning, until some time near midday, Emeric stretched his arms above his head.

"It's about time we stopped for a bite to eat, dinna ye reckon? I dinna know about ye, but I'm starving. There's a copse over there that should give us a bit of shelter and I think I can see a burn running from it."

"We shouldnae stop," Oskar replied. "We could go for a few more hours yet."

"Oskar, if it were up to ye, we wouldnae stop at all, even for sleep, until we got where we were going. Ye might be able to keep going for hours on end, but us mere mortals would like a break. Magnus, talk to him would ye?"

"Aye, it's time we took a break," Magnus agreed. "The lass could probably do with some food, too."

Oskar said nothing. They were probably right. Lily had dozed most of the morning and his right side was numb where she'd been slumped against him, but he'd made no effort to wake her. She obviously needed the sleep.

He clicked his tongue at the horses and guided them off the road and into the shelter of the copse that Emeric had indicated. Sure enough, a burn ran down the eastern side of it, gurgling and laughing as it rushed over rocks. He pulled the cart to a halt and then gently shook Lily.

"Wake up, lass."

Her eyes flickered open. They were a smoky brown color and she had long, curled lashes.

"Have I been asleep?"

"Aye. Most of the morning."

"I have?" She looked around. "Where are we?"

"At a rest stop."

He tied off the reins then jumped to the ground. It was hard from the overnight frost and the dead bracken crunched when he stepped into it. Magnus and Emeric had already lifted down Alfred Brewer and carried him deeper into the copse where they were busy tying him to a tree.

Lily stood up and climbed gingerly to the ground. Again, there was that grimace of pain, gone in an instant.

"This way," he said gruffly, and led her over to where Emeric was busy building a campfire. He spread a blanket on the ground for Lily who sank onto it gratefully, holding her hand out to the flames.

Oskar didn't sit. Instead, he stalked off, made a circuit of their camp, his hand resting on his sword hilt. All seemed quiet. He found no tracks to indicate that anyone had been up here recently and the only indication of life he found at all was a few pheasants who burst noisily from the brush as he neared. Satisfied, he returned to camp to find that Emeric was dishing out strips of dried meat to everyone. Not the most appetizing of meals, but for a warrior on the road, soldier's rations were the best they could hope for.

He slumped to the ground, took the food Emeric offered him, and began to chew mechanically. It was like eating boiled leather.

"Wow," Lily muttered. "Where did you get this stuff? Did you cut it off the horses' harness?"

Magnus laughed. "Aye, it's a bit tough I'll grant ye. Here, soak it in this. It'll soften it up a bit." He handed her a beaker of ale. Lily dipped her dried meat in it and then popped it in her mouth and chewed.

"Nope," she announced. "Still tastes like one of my old shoes."

Oskar had to agree with her. What he wouldn't give for a slice of hot roasted beef right now swimming in gravy. Of course, dried meat would once have seemed like a banquet to him. Any food would once have seemed like a banquet to him. He was getting soft.

"I think I'll go have a wash," Lily announced, nodding towards the burn. "The cold water might help wake me up a bit."

"Dinna go far, lass," Oskar warned.

"I won't," she replied, climbing to her feet. "Just beyond those trees."

"Hey!" Alfred Brewer shouted from his spot tied to a nearby tree. "When are ye gonna untie me? I thought ye said I was gonna be allowed to walk around! My leg's aching something fierce!"

Oskar turned to glare at him. "Shut yer hollering! Ye'll be untied when we say so!"

"He's right," Lily said. "He needs to keep exercising."

"We'll see to it," Magnus said before Oskar could respond.

Lily nodded, then turned around and walked off towards the burn.

"Come on, then," Magnus said, walking over to Alfred and crouching down to undo his bonds. "Let's get this over with before the Lady Lily gives us all a talking to."

He grabbed Alfred's arm and hoisted him to his feet whilst Emeric handed over the man's crutches. As Alfred began hobbling around the clearing, Oskar turned away in disgust. He picked up a stick and began pulling it apart, tossing the pieces into the fire one by one. He looked over in the direction Lily had gone, but he couldn't see her through the screen of trees.

Something didn't feel right, but he couldn't put his finger on what it was. He looked around, eyes scanning the copse. Nothing seemed out of place, but he felt...something.

Then he realized. The birds had fallen silent. There was no sound other than what they themselves were making.

He drew his sword in a rush. "Ware!" he shouted. "Ware!"

The words had barely left his mouth when a group of hooded and cowled figures burst from the thicket. They clutched swords, which glinted dully in the overcast. Oskar responded on instinct, slipping without thought into the forms he'd practised all his life. His sword took the first low in the stomach, he kicked the second out of the way, and was onto the third in the blink of an eye. In the tangle amongst the trees, he couldn't make out how many there were. Where had they come from? And how had he missed them?

Stupid, stupid, stupid,he berated himself as he sliced the hamstrings of one, parried the wild swing of another, and then spun, dropping low. Magnus and Emeric were fighting now too, Magnus swinging his great broadsword, while Emeric shot arrow after arrow into the pressing throng.

Suddenly he heard a strangled cry from the trees.

Lily!

A surge of adrenaline burst through him and he sprang away, sprinting across their camp and plunging into the undergrowth, ignoring the branches that scratched at his arms and face.

He came out onto the banks of the burn to find Lily backing away from two hooded figures who were closing on her with drawn swords. Fury exploded through his veins, hot and biting. He heard himself howling as he crashed into the first one, stabbing him through the neck in a shower of blood. The second slammed into Lily, sending her thumping to the ground, and then spun to advance on Oskar. He couldn't make out any details of his attacker. He wore a long black cowl that hid his face but it was clear from the way he handled a blade that he was good with a sword.

Oskar charged, blade snaking out in quick blows that the figure was hard-pressed to deflect. The snick of metal on metal filled the air and his opponent was forced back, away from Lily. Oskar placed himself between them.

His opponent suddenly jabbed at him, aiming for his belly, and as Oskar took a step back, the man seized his chance to disengage. He turned and fled into the trees. Oskar didn't follow. Instead, he spun, searching for any more attackers, but could see none. He hurried to Lily. She was lying on her side, clutching her hip.

"Are ye all right?" he asked breathlessly. "Did they hurt ye?"

"No," she replied. "I'm fine. Maybe a little bruised is all."

Still clutching his sword in one hand, he held out his other and pulled her to her feet. She cried out in pain and her face went white as she staggered up, clutching at him for support.

"Can ye walk, lass?"

She nodded and he took her arm as they pushed through the undergrowth and returned to camp. The fight, it seemed, was over. Oskar counted at least five bodies lying in the damp grass, not counting the one he'd dispatched by the burn. Magnus was cleaning his sword on the tunic of one. A moment later, Emeric emerged through the trees.

"They've gone," he announced grimly. "They'd hidden horses in a dell on the far side. Looks like they were well prepared for this ambush."

"Wait a minute," Oskar said suddenly. "Where is Alfred?"

"Taken," Emeric said. "This was clearly about him, not us. Otherwise I dinna think they would have left quite so swiftly."

A hot burst of fury swept through Oskar. "No!" he bellowed at the sky, hammering his fists against his thighs.

"Who were they?" Lily asked in a small voice.

"Alfred's friends, clearly," Oskar grated.

"I never saw the Disinherited as being the particularly loyal type," Magnus said. "In my experience, when one of their lot is caught they usually leave them to rot. Seems they went to a great deal of risk to rescue Alfred who, after all, isnae that important in their organization. It doesnae make sense."

"It does if ye know who it was who did the rescuing," Emeric said. He looked at Magnus and then over at Oskar. "I recognized one of those waiting with the horses over on the far side of the trees. I think the two of ye would have recognized her too. She's an old friend of ours."

Magnus inhaled sharply. "Alice?"

Emeric nodded. "The very same."

Lily looked at the three of them. "Alice? Who's that?"

Oskar turned to her. "Alice Brewer, Alfred's wife. She's been a thorn in our sides for a long time, but the last reports we had were that she was dead, drowned off the coast up north."

"But they never found her body," Emeric pointed out.

"And I, for one, never believed her dead," Magnus said. "People like that have a habit of turning up where they are least welcome."

Oskar pinched the bridge of his nose. "How could we have let this happen?" he snapped. "We have to go after them! We have to get Alfred back!"

"Aye, we do," Magnus agreed. "But they have horses and a head start."

"And the king needs to be told," Emeric added.

"So what do ye suggest?"

"We have to split up," Magnus said. "Emeric and I will take the horses and go after Alice and Alfred. Ye take Lily and continue on to Edinburgh and warn the king and the Order."

"I'm not a bloody nursemaid!" Oskar snarled. "I'll go after Alfred and Alice!"

Magnus laid a hand on his arm. "I know this rankles with ye. God in Heaven, it rankles with me just as much, but we have to be sensible about this. Ye know Edinburgh better than any of us. Ye are the most qualified to get Lily there and keep her safe. We only have two horses. We canna all go after Alfred."

Oskar ground his jaw, frustration gnawing at him. "All right," he said. "All right."